Nevis Peak Hike
Nevis Peak Hike
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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jameyyawn
Fairview, TN20 contributions
Mar 2023
Difficult but well worth it! We did it with a 9 and a 10 year old and while it was slow going, everyone was able to make it to the top. It was relatively dry the whole way and I can see it being extremely difficult if wet so keep in that mind if raining.
I would agree with most of the other reviews, the first half is a relatively easy hike through the rainforest, lots of roots and rocks but nothing difficult. The 2nd half is a different story though, mostly straight up with several sections of climbing but between the ropes, rocks, limbs, and roots, plenty of good hand holds and steps. Just take your time, enjoy the adventure, and of course the views at the top!
I would agree with most of the other reviews, the first half is a relatively easy hike through the rainforest, lots of roots and rocks but nothing difficult. The 2nd half is a different story though, mostly straight up with several sections of climbing but between the ropes, rocks, limbs, and roots, plenty of good hand holds and steps. Just take your time, enjoy the adventure, and of course the views at the top!
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter G
East Brunswick, NJ46 contributions
Mar 2020
It's hard to call it a hike! We booked through Nevis Adventure Tours and had Reggie as our guide. We're 60 years old and went with our adult children. They collectively found it amazing and were hardly challenged (within reason). My wife and I also loved it but we were more challenged. My wife on the way up and me on the way down; more to do with fear than anything else. Reggie tended to my wife dutifully on the way up, saw her confidence on the way down and transferred his attention to me. I don't do "down" well. All that said, the views were amazing and we are all glad we had done it. Some of us used gloves which I would highly recommend. Reggie is great if you can get him, very knowledgeable, very attentive, generally a good guy.
Written March 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jstone8103
Boston, MA49 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
46 year old father of 2 teenagers, lawyer, thinks he is still young embarks on the climb. Hard, dirty, and just like playing in the woods used to be. Really slippery because it is soaking wet all of the time. Saw great nature and feel great. Recommend this, but there is no one in my current friend group who would have enjoyed doing this.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie C
376 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
Yes, it’s extremely challenging! Yes, it’s a lot of climbing! Yes, it’s muddy! But it’s a once in a lifetime type thing that our group, including an 11 year old, was able to do! If you’re regularly fit and don’t mind getting dirty, you may want to try it. I also highly recommend Devito from Nevis Nature Tours. He’s very kind, helped us at every step of the way, and was a fun person to hike with. But whatever you do, do not attempt this without a guide. While most of it could theoretically be done without one, there are sections that require careful and very specific navigation to avoid injury. Enjoy!
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ranjit9
Mumbai, India109 contributions
May 2019
We have been to Four Seasons Nevis on a company sponsored trip based on annual quota achievement. The property is great and we can see the Nevis Peak from it with clouds around it.
We had planned the hike well in advance; mentally and physically, we were well prepared before we were in Nevis. We choose it do it on our own for the tough trek. We did not take a guide as we believed it from reviews that it's possible.
The trek was really tiring. We could hardly stand or walk after we came down. You need a very high fitness level. Directions are not a big challenge. Out of the group of 6, 4 of them went back. It was only 2 of us who completed the trek. At some points, the trek is steep and there are ropes to climb. That's were you need gloves else skin of your hands would be peeled off.
Carry enough water. If you are not confident, please use a guide. Don't forget to sign the book kept at the peak! The effort is all worth it when you see the view from the top.
We had planned the hike well in advance; mentally and physically, we were well prepared before we were in Nevis. We choose it do it on our own for the tough trek. We did not take a guide as we believed it from reviews that it's possible.
The trek was really tiring. We could hardly stand or walk after we came down. You need a very high fitness level. Directions are not a big challenge. Out of the group of 6, 4 of them went back. It was only 2 of us who completed the trek. At some points, the trek is steep and there are ropes to climb. That's were you need gloves else skin of your hands would be peeled off.
Carry enough water. If you are not confident, please use a guide. Don't forget to sign the book kept at the peak! The effort is all worth it when you see the view from the top.
Written April 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TMR1004
Valley Forge, PA397 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
1. Introduction
If you are staying in Nevis, or St. Kitts, Nevis Peak is hard to miss. On a day when it’s peak is not shrowded in clouds, it stands out like a giant. A dormant volcano, there have been no eruptions since prehistory, but there are active fumaroles and hot springs on the coastal slope of the mountain. A beautiful and challenging trail leads to the summit. I was unable to get good information on this trail before I came, so I thought I would write about what I learned in the hopes that it may encourage others to experience this magnificent climb.
2. Trailhead
The trailhead is about 15 minutes by car from Charlestown. If you are staying on St. Kitts, you can catch the ferry (45 minutes) or a speed boat to Charlestown from Basseterre. Once in Charlestown, take the main road around the island (west side) for about 10 minutes. There will be a road on your left marked Zetherlands. Turn left and drive about 5 minutes to Poor Man’s Bar (located in the small village of Zetherlands) on your left. Many taxis will leave you off here. It is possible to turn left on this road and drive for a few minutes to the old (now abandoned) restaurant and park there. But the road is steep and not in good condition. I started at Poor Man’s Bar and it only took 10 minutes to walk to the old restaurant, and the start of the dirt trail to the summit.
3. Guides
Guides are not mandatory and the trail is easy to follow. The only place that is a little confusing is that after following the road from Poor Man’s Bar to the old restaurant there is no obvious trail. Just continue to follow the dirt road and it becomes a single track trail in a few hundred yards. Although a guide is not necessary for navigation, unless you and the others in your group are very experienced hikers. I would recommend using one. This is a challenging trail. You will be doing a lot of scrambling, pulling yourself up on ropes, etc. on some slippery terrain. Unless you have a fair amount of experience with this type of hiking/scrambling and are going with others with similar experience it is my opinion that a guide is well worth the money you are paying. A guide can provide both valuable advice and some additional level of safety on the more challenging sections of the trail. My guide was arranged through my hotel, Timothy’s Beach Resort, in St. Kitts by the office manager, Laurel. She did an excellent job for me. Her contact information is laurel@timothybeach.com.
4. Best time of year
The “drier” season (December – April) is best. But the mountain can be climbed year round if the trail conditions are good.
5. Options
Most people, myself included, hike up and back from Poor Mans Bar on the west side of the mountain. But it is possible to do an “over the mountain” hike. Starting from Poor Man’s Bar, you go to the summit. At the summit, there is a second trail that takes you down the east side of the mountain. I do not know much about this trail, but my guide says it takes 1 ½ - 2 times as long to descend by this longer route. He told me that most guides will provide this service although both the guide fee and taxi fees are higher.
6. Trail distance
I was not able to get reliable information on this.
My estimate, based solely on how long it took me, is that is about 2 miles from Poor Mans Bar to the summit (one way)
7. Elevations
Practical Trailhead – Poor Man’s Bar 950 ft
Actual Trailhead – Old restaurant 1,200 ft.
Lower summit 3,075 ft.
Upper summit 3,230 ft.
8. Vertical elevation
The difference in elevation between Poor Man’s Bar and the lower summit is 2,125 ft., but due to a few small up and downs along the trail, you will actually ascend 2,170 vt. ft. roundtrip.
9. Trail description
Mostly in the forest. The trail starts at Poor Man’s Bar in the village of Zetherlands on a small intermittently dirt/paved road. There are small houses and farms along this section. After the old restaurant, you walk through fields of banana and breadfruit trees + flowers. There are numerous species of birds and local bats. As you enter the thicker forest, troops of green monkeys can usually be heard and sometimes seen. You feel dwarfed by enormous trees and their roots. The first third of the trail is fairly moderate in inclination. After about 30-45 minutes, the trail steepens and many sections have ropes to help you ascend with greater safety. Trail conditions are usually muddy and slippery. You will often need to scramble, using your hands to grab onto roots or whatever is available to help pull yourself up. It continues like this to the lower summit. It is definitely a full body workout. From the lower summit, on a clear day, many of the Leeward Islands can be seen. You can also see the upper summit just a few hundred yards away, but the trail is overgrown, not maintained and no longer used.
10. Water along trail
There are no reliable water sources along the trail. Carry what you need. 1 ½ liters was fine for me.
11. What to bring
Shoes with good traction and grip
Backpack
Water – 1 ½ liters +/-
Food
Raincoat
Sun lotion
Walking stick – very useful in places, but a hindrance in others when you need to use both hands to pull yourself up – If you decide to bring one, a collapsable leki – type pole is best because it is easy to collapse and attach to your pack when you need to use both hands to scramble.
Gloves – Not a necessity, but were helpful to me. Again, you will be using your hands a lot.
12. Time estimate
This is always a difficult thing to estimate due to differences in trail conditions, weather, fitness, how often you stop to take photos, etc. This being said, 1 ½ - 2 ½ hrs for the ascent from Poor Man’s Bar is a good estimate for most people in reasonably good hiking condition. Due to the steep and slippery terrain, the descent will take about as long as the ascent.
13. Level of difficulty
This is not a beginners trail. At the same time, you do not need to be an expert hiker or a rock climber. It is appropriate for most people in good shape with a reasonable amount of hiking/scrambling experience. There is no great exposure on this trail. You will not fall off a cliff and drop 300 ft. But there are numerous places where a slip could mean a sprained ankle, knee injury, broken bone, etc. Using a good guide will decrease this risk.
If you question whether or not you can do this climb, I would suggest two things. First, use a good guide. His/her expertise can really help. Secondly, give it a try. The most difficult sections are near the top. If you get to a section and are not able or not willing to go further, you can always just turn around. My guide told me that a lot of people do this. Of course they are often a little disappointed, but they still got to experience most of the climb and have a good day on the mountain.
14. Conclusion
A great experience if you like this kind of physical challenge. Nevis Peak and Liamuiga Volcano were the highlights of my time in St. Kitts and Nevis. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did.
15. Other reviews of hikes in the Caribbean by TMR1004 on TripAdvisor
1) Petit Piton – St. Lucia - May 2018
2) La Soufriere – St. Lucia – May 2018
3) Boiling Lake – Dominica – May 2018
4) Liamuiga Volcano – St. Kitts – May 2018
5) Gros Piton – St. Lucia – May 2018
6) Pico Duarte – Dominican Republic – December 2013
7) El Mogote – Dominican Republic – June 2013
8) Isabel de Torres – Dominican Republic – July 2014
If you are staying in Nevis, or St. Kitts, Nevis Peak is hard to miss. On a day when it’s peak is not shrowded in clouds, it stands out like a giant. A dormant volcano, there have been no eruptions since prehistory, but there are active fumaroles and hot springs on the coastal slope of the mountain. A beautiful and challenging trail leads to the summit. I was unable to get good information on this trail before I came, so I thought I would write about what I learned in the hopes that it may encourage others to experience this magnificent climb.
2. Trailhead
The trailhead is about 15 minutes by car from Charlestown. If you are staying on St. Kitts, you can catch the ferry (45 minutes) or a speed boat to Charlestown from Basseterre. Once in Charlestown, take the main road around the island (west side) for about 10 minutes. There will be a road on your left marked Zetherlands. Turn left and drive about 5 minutes to Poor Man’s Bar (located in the small village of Zetherlands) on your left. Many taxis will leave you off here. It is possible to turn left on this road and drive for a few minutes to the old (now abandoned) restaurant and park there. But the road is steep and not in good condition. I started at Poor Man’s Bar and it only took 10 minutes to walk to the old restaurant, and the start of the dirt trail to the summit.
3. Guides
Guides are not mandatory and the trail is easy to follow. The only place that is a little confusing is that after following the road from Poor Man’s Bar to the old restaurant there is no obvious trail. Just continue to follow the dirt road and it becomes a single track trail in a few hundred yards. Although a guide is not necessary for navigation, unless you and the others in your group are very experienced hikers. I would recommend using one. This is a challenging trail. You will be doing a lot of scrambling, pulling yourself up on ropes, etc. on some slippery terrain. Unless you have a fair amount of experience with this type of hiking/scrambling and are going with others with similar experience it is my opinion that a guide is well worth the money you are paying. A guide can provide both valuable advice and some additional level of safety on the more challenging sections of the trail. My guide was arranged through my hotel, Timothy’s Beach Resort, in St. Kitts by the office manager, Laurel. She did an excellent job for me. Her contact information is laurel@timothybeach.com.
4. Best time of year
The “drier” season (December – April) is best. But the mountain can be climbed year round if the trail conditions are good.
5. Options
Most people, myself included, hike up and back from Poor Mans Bar on the west side of the mountain. But it is possible to do an “over the mountain” hike. Starting from Poor Man’s Bar, you go to the summit. At the summit, there is a second trail that takes you down the east side of the mountain. I do not know much about this trail, but my guide says it takes 1 ½ - 2 times as long to descend by this longer route. He told me that most guides will provide this service although both the guide fee and taxi fees are higher.
6. Trail distance
I was not able to get reliable information on this.
My estimate, based solely on how long it took me, is that is about 2 miles from Poor Mans Bar to the summit (one way)
7. Elevations
Practical Trailhead – Poor Man’s Bar 950 ft
Actual Trailhead – Old restaurant 1,200 ft.
Lower summit 3,075 ft.
Upper summit 3,230 ft.
8. Vertical elevation
The difference in elevation between Poor Man’s Bar and the lower summit is 2,125 ft., but due to a few small up and downs along the trail, you will actually ascend 2,170 vt. ft. roundtrip.
9. Trail description
Mostly in the forest. The trail starts at Poor Man’s Bar in the village of Zetherlands on a small intermittently dirt/paved road. There are small houses and farms along this section. After the old restaurant, you walk through fields of banana and breadfruit trees + flowers. There are numerous species of birds and local bats. As you enter the thicker forest, troops of green monkeys can usually be heard and sometimes seen. You feel dwarfed by enormous trees and their roots. The first third of the trail is fairly moderate in inclination. After about 30-45 minutes, the trail steepens and many sections have ropes to help you ascend with greater safety. Trail conditions are usually muddy and slippery. You will often need to scramble, using your hands to grab onto roots or whatever is available to help pull yourself up. It continues like this to the lower summit. It is definitely a full body workout. From the lower summit, on a clear day, many of the Leeward Islands can be seen. You can also see the upper summit just a few hundred yards away, but the trail is overgrown, not maintained and no longer used.
10. Water along trail
There are no reliable water sources along the trail. Carry what you need. 1 ½ liters was fine for me.
11. What to bring
Shoes with good traction and grip
Backpack
Water – 1 ½ liters +/-
Food
Raincoat
Sun lotion
Walking stick – very useful in places, but a hindrance in others when you need to use both hands to pull yourself up – If you decide to bring one, a collapsable leki – type pole is best because it is easy to collapse and attach to your pack when you need to use both hands to scramble.
Gloves – Not a necessity, but were helpful to me. Again, you will be using your hands a lot.
12. Time estimate
This is always a difficult thing to estimate due to differences in trail conditions, weather, fitness, how often you stop to take photos, etc. This being said, 1 ½ - 2 ½ hrs for the ascent from Poor Man’s Bar is a good estimate for most people in reasonably good hiking condition. Due to the steep and slippery terrain, the descent will take about as long as the ascent.
13. Level of difficulty
This is not a beginners trail. At the same time, you do not need to be an expert hiker or a rock climber. It is appropriate for most people in good shape with a reasonable amount of hiking/scrambling experience. There is no great exposure on this trail. You will not fall off a cliff and drop 300 ft. But there are numerous places where a slip could mean a sprained ankle, knee injury, broken bone, etc. Using a good guide will decrease this risk.
If you question whether or not you can do this climb, I would suggest two things. First, use a good guide. His/her expertise can really help. Secondly, give it a try. The most difficult sections are near the top. If you get to a section and are not able or not willing to go further, you can always just turn around. My guide told me that a lot of people do this. Of course they are often a little disappointed, but they still got to experience most of the climb and have a good day on the mountain.
14. Conclusion
A great experience if you like this kind of physical challenge. Nevis Peak and Liamuiga Volcano were the highlights of my time in St. Kitts and Nevis. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did.
15. Other reviews of hikes in the Caribbean by TMR1004 on TripAdvisor
1) Petit Piton – St. Lucia - May 2018
2) La Soufriere – St. Lucia – May 2018
3) Boiling Lake – Dominica – May 2018
4) Liamuiga Volcano – St. Kitts – May 2018
5) Gros Piton – St. Lucia – May 2018
6) Pico Duarte – Dominican Republic – December 2013
7) El Mogote – Dominican Republic – June 2013
8) Isabel de Torres – Dominican Republic – July 2014
Written May 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin T
Denver, CO5 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
This is how to do it. A little background info: my girfriend and I live in Denver, CO and are fairly athletic and have good hiking acumen. We are staying at the Marriott in St. Kitts and wanted to hike Nevis Peak. No one on the island will give you any info on this hike, probably because they want you to take a guide. Nothing against taking a guide to support the local economy, but we are a little more adventurous. We climb 14k peaks on a fairly regular basis during the summer months. Nevertheless, this "hike" (more of a climb) is totally doable for most people that are average to above average in their fitness levels. It does require some upper body strength and there are a couple of class 3ish moves thrown in on the way up. However you are never in danger of sliding off the mountain as exposure is very low.
So here goes. We rented a car and took the 8 AM Seabridge car shuttle to Nevis located on the southern tip of St. Kitts. Once you drive off the car shuttle, take a right and stay on the main road the entire way until you hit Gingerland police station. It's hard to miss if you're paying attention. Take a LEFT here and follow the signs uphill for "Peak Heaven." If you google map "Gingerland police station" it shows up. Keep driving up the progressively worse road until you see a black gate. It may be open or closed but was open when we went. Keep driving for about 15 seconds and park here at the clearing. The "museum" was closed when we went but it will be on your left. Follow the obvious path from here up the trail. You may encounter cows, goats, etc at first but just keep going. The trail is unmarked but is pretty easily discernible. I had an altimeter watch on and it is about 0.5-0.6 miles before you hit the first "wall." Climb up this using ropes and tree roots. The route is totally obvious from here all the way to the top. There are tons of rope sections and it gets fairly steep. You are going up almost 2k vertical feet in 1.25 miles (this is what my watch said at the top). Then follow the trail back down where you came from. It is pretty hard to get lost; just take mental notes of the trail you came up starting at the beginning until the first climb at around 0.6 miles. There are a couple of smaller trails that lead off other directions around the start. We finished the hike in 3 hrs and 45 min but stopped quite a few times to take pics and hung out at the summit for about 45 min. It could probably be done in around 2 to 2.5 hrs if you never stop. Totally worth it and I would definitely do it again. We even saw Reggie, a Nevis hiking legend, at the top with some tourists.
So here goes. We rented a car and took the 8 AM Seabridge car shuttle to Nevis located on the southern tip of St. Kitts. Once you drive off the car shuttle, take a right and stay on the main road the entire way until you hit Gingerland police station. It's hard to miss if you're paying attention. Take a LEFT here and follow the signs uphill for "Peak Heaven." If you google map "Gingerland police station" it shows up. Keep driving up the progressively worse road until you see a black gate. It may be open or closed but was open when we went. Keep driving for about 15 seconds and park here at the clearing. The "museum" was closed when we went but it will be on your left. Follow the obvious path from here up the trail. You may encounter cows, goats, etc at first but just keep going. The trail is unmarked but is pretty easily discernible. I had an altimeter watch on and it is about 0.5-0.6 miles before you hit the first "wall." Climb up this using ropes and tree roots. The route is totally obvious from here all the way to the top. There are tons of rope sections and it gets fairly steep. You are going up almost 2k vertical feet in 1.25 miles (this is what my watch said at the top). Then follow the trail back down where you came from. It is pretty hard to get lost; just take mental notes of the trail you came up starting at the beginning until the first climb at around 0.6 miles. There are a couple of smaller trails that lead off other directions around the start. We finished the hike in 3 hrs and 45 min but stopped quite a few times to take pics and hung out at the summit for about 45 min. It could probably be done in around 2 to 2.5 hrs if you never stop. Totally worth it and I would definitely do it again. We even saw Reggie, a Nevis hiking legend, at the top with some tourists.
Written July 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon T
Bar sur Loup, France3 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
I do not normally do reviews, but feel compelled to write about the Nevis Peak hike, because this was one of the most enjoyable hikes I have ever done. I was in two minds, because (1) I do not want to deprive guides of their livelihood and (2) I do not want to inappropriately convince unsuitable candidates to attempt this hike.
Much has been written about the importance of guides and how difficult and strenuous this climb is. I wish to give my views on these issues, to try and give balance to the reviews.
To debunk the two myths about this hike:
MYTH #1: YOU MUST HAVE A GUIDE
There is nothing wrong with hiring a guide if this is what you like to do. However, as stated by some other reviewers, this hike does not need a guide. It is extremely straight-forward to find and to stay on the trail. All you need to do is go up the road just after the Gingerland Police Station (if travelling North on the main ring road) and follow the signs to Peak Heaven. Park outside the gates. Walk past the black gates with white tips and go up the wide path next to these gates, following a chainlink fence. Then just keep going!
MYTH #2: THIS IS A DIFFICULT CLIMB
I am 52 and of average fitness. I do not go to the gym, take no regular formal exercise and am not a climber, but I do the occasional hike. I was concerned about reference to 1,000 – 1200 foot vertical climbs on ropes, but decided to go and have a look with my 15 year old son, planning to give up when the going got too tough. In reality, the ropes, which are in 15-25 foot sections, are there to assist clambering over large rocks if you need them – we did not use them going up but did use some of them coming down, primarily because the trail is permanently wet and can be slippery in places. The trail is totally shaded and cool, making it a very pleasant way to escape the Caribbean heat (we did the hike late June). We did the hike up to the clearing with the “guest book” in a little under 1 ½ hours and did not feel particularly tired. We did not go further (some reviewers talk of going on to a second summit), as this was intended as a pre-breakfast hike. Roundtrip from the car was around 3 hours. I intended to re-do the hike with my wife later in the day, and certainly felt up to it, but she decided to lie by the pool instead (it was our last day on Nevis).
In summary, while this trail may not be for everyone, anyone with reasonable fitness and a sense of adventure will love the hike. Warning: You will get quite muddy and it is more than likely that you will not enjoy any views due to the clouds, so you should do the hike for the safe of the hike, not for the views, which I am sure are great if you are lucky enough to have a break in the clouds (not our case). Despite the lack of view, this was the most exciting and rewarding hike I have ever done, hence my wish to share this experience with others via this review.
Much has been written about the importance of guides and how difficult and strenuous this climb is. I wish to give my views on these issues, to try and give balance to the reviews.
To debunk the two myths about this hike:
MYTH #1: YOU MUST HAVE A GUIDE
There is nothing wrong with hiring a guide if this is what you like to do. However, as stated by some other reviewers, this hike does not need a guide. It is extremely straight-forward to find and to stay on the trail. All you need to do is go up the road just after the Gingerland Police Station (if travelling North on the main ring road) and follow the signs to Peak Heaven. Park outside the gates. Walk past the black gates with white tips and go up the wide path next to these gates, following a chainlink fence. Then just keep going!
MYTH #2: THIS IS A DIFFICULT CLIMB
I am 52 and of average fitness. I do not go to the gym, take no regular formal exercise and am not a climber, but I do the occasional hike. I was concerned about reference to 1,000 – 1200 foot vertical climbs on ropes, but decided to go and have a look with my 15 year old son, planning to give up when the going got too tough. In reality, the ropes, which are in 15-25 foot sections, are there to assist clambering over large rocks if you need them – we did not use them going up but did use some of them coming down, primarily because the trail is permanently wet and can be slippery in places. The trail is totally shaded and cool, making it a very pleasant way to escape the Caribbean heat (we did the hike late June). We did the hike up to the clearing with the “guest book” in a little under 1 ½ hours and did not feel particularly tired. We did not go further (some reviewers talk of going on to a second summit), as this was intended as a pre-breakfast hike. Roundtrip from the car was around 3 hours. I intended to re-do the hike with my wife later in the day, and certainly felt up to it, but she decided to lie by the pool instead (it was our last day on Nevis).
In summary, while this trail may not be for everyone, anyone with reasonable fitness and a sense of adventure will love the hike. Warning: You will get quite muddy and it is more than likely that you will not enjoy any views due to the clouds, so you should do the hike for the safe of the hike, not for the views, which I am sure are great if you are lucky enough to have a break in the clouds (not our case). Despite the lack of view, this was the most exciting and rewarding hike I have ever done, hence my wish to share this experience with others via this review.
Written June 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DanielK2_5
Wainwright, Alberta, Canada2 contributions
Sep 2012 • Couples
My wife and I climbed to the peak on September 22nd, 2012. We read all these reviews first and it took me a bit to convince her to try it. If you want more information on the hike read ALL the reviews! Here is what we gathered from the hike and reviews.
You do not need a guide if you are going for an adventure and have common sense and some experience hiking - we didn't use one!
Take lots of water - we took 20 fl oz each and it wasn't enough.
Wear hiking shoes - I wore loafers and it was rather slippery at times
Bring a good snack that isn't salty and will give you energy!
Don't expect amazing views - we got lucky but it isn't like the Rocky Mountains.
Do expect to be climbing a lot and getting muddy! A lot of slopes were very steep - but as stated in a previous review the entire trail is covered in jungle so you won't fall far if you slip.
If you are in average condition it will take around 2 hours up and 2 hours down - remember it gets dark around 6pm!
DIRECTIONS TO GET THERE: Use a map to locate gingerland parish and the police station. A few miles after Charlestown headed Take one of the roads that heads up to the mountain - follow signs for Peak Haven (a restaurant and park). You will see a sign on the right that says you are on butt road - you want to park somewhere along here and start your hike up this road to Peak Haven. You will come to a sign and a gate - sign says parking reserved for Peak Haven guests. Keep going and you will see a white tipped gate on the left which is the entrance to peak haven Keep goinig! You will see a trail that continues into the bush. There will be a chain link fence along you left and then a small pond and bridge also on your left. Follow this trail to the peek! There are a few side trails - take note of them but continue on the main trail up the mountain. Just watch when you come down the mountain that you stick to the main trail (don't meander and not pay attention;)
I know a lot of the directions above was stated in previous reviews - but I put it all together to help everyone.
It is a great hike - about as close to climbing as you can get with out climbing. I would estimate about 4-6km round trip. A lot of difficult ups and downs but very rewarding and a great challenge.
You do not need a guide if you are going for an adventure and have common sense and some experience hiking - we didn't use one!
Take lots of water - we took 20 fl oz each and it wasn't enough.
Wear hiking shoes - I wore loafers and it was rather slippery at times
Bring a good snack that isn't salty and will give you energy!
Don't expect amazing views - we got lucky but it isn't like the Rocky Mountains.
Do expect to be climbing a lot and getting muddy! A lot of slopes were very steep - but as stated in a previous review the entire trail is covered in jungle so you won't fall far if you slip.
If you are in average condition it will take around 2 hours up and 2 hours down - remember it gets dark around 6pm!
DIRECTIONS TO GET THERE: Use a map to locate gingerland parish and the police station. A few miles after Charlestown headed Take one of the roads that heads up to the mountain - follow signs for Peak Haven (a restaurant and park). You will see a sign on the right that says you are on butt road - you want to park somewhere along here and start your hike up this road to Peak Haven. You will come to a sign and a gate - sign says parking reserved for Peak Haven guests. Keep going and you will see a white tipped gate on the left which is the entrance to peak haven Keep goinig! You will see a trail that continues into the bush. There will be a chain link fence along you left and then a small pond and bridge also on your left. Follow this trail to the peek! There are a few side trails - take note of them but continue on the main trail up the mountain. Just watch when you come down the mountain that you stick to the main trail (don't meander and not pay attention;)
I know a lot of the directions above was stated in previous reviews - but I put it all together to help everyone.
It is a great hike - about as close to climbing as you can get with out climbing. I would estimate about 4-6km round trip. A lot of difficult ups and downs but very rewarding and a great challenge.
Written September 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
evanscaribbean
Washington DC, DC228 contributions
My husband and I had a great and very muddy hike on Nevis Peak. It was foggy when we got to the top, but we didn't even care. Our guide furnished local fruits and berries as snacks. He even brought his wife's homemade bread. We sat and had our treats on the top of Nevis Peak.
The hike was challenging at times. There were ropes placed strategically to aid in the ascent. The mud was thick and we were covered, with only the whites of our eyes visible by the end of the hike. I remember walking directly into the ocean....boots and all and scrubbing off with sand.
Great experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a great deal about the island while we hiked. Don't miss it.
The hike was challenging at times. There were ropes placed strategically to aid in the ascent. The mud was thick and we were covered, with only the whites of our eyes visible by the end of the hike. I remember walking directly into the ocean....boots and all and scrubbing off with sand.
Great experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a great deal about the island while we hiked. Don't miss it.
Written July 26, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am looking for an elevation profile of the climb? Is there one around anywhere?
Thanks
Andy
Helen C
London, UK28 contributions
Hi,
You mention your guides name, who did you book them through?
We are off to Nevis (for the third time - love it!) in April and want to climb the peak.
Thanks
Alice Harrison
New York27 contributions
How long does it take to hike to the top?
MiaFia1972
Toronto, Canada15 contributions
I took us 1hr 30min and about the same to come down
Nevis Peak Hike - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Nevis Peak Hike
- Hotels near Nevis Peak Hike:
- (1.24 mi) Golden Rock Inn
- (0.92 mi) The Hermitage Plantation Inn
- (1.70 mi) Montpelier Plantation & Beach
- (2.89 mi) Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies
- (0.69 mi) Bacchus Field - Magnificent Caribbean Villa
- Restaurants near Nevis Peak Hike:
- (0.43 mi) Nevitalia Ristorante
- (1.24 mi) The Rocks
- (1.25 mi) Bananas
- (0.93 mi) Dining at the Hermitage
- (1.57 mi) Passion Bar & Grill
Nevis Peak Hike Information
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